Exercise 2. Look at the example of a resume and answer these questions.

1) What does a resume contain?

2) How long is a resume?

3) How does a resume look?

4) Is it a good idea to use a photograph of yourself on your resume? Why?

5) What words are used to describe work experience?

6) Why is information about personal interests important?

7) Why are references available on request?

8) Is a Russian resume different from an example given? Why?

Personal information
Name	Artem Legovich
Address	630110, Novosibirsk 32 Narodnaya, apartment 19
Phone	[phone]
E-mail	[e-mail]
Objective
the Presidential Training Initiative participation
Work experience
Dates	2008 – Present
Employer	ABC Works Inc., Novosibirsk
Position held	Railroad Engineer
Main activities and responsibilities	• Run Steam, Gas Railroads and Speeder trains • Implement maintenance and safety pre-examine train and passenger car use. • Perform safety standards. • Implement maintenance and repair to all equipment consisting of steam, gas, speeder, passenger cars, empty cars used for rail ties, dump cars and side dump- cars used for track upgrading and repair. • Make required condition reports about the time and material cost estimates. • Do frequent statistics of tools and facility; give spare parts into the disposal and/or replacement.
Education and training
Dates	September 2003 – August 2008
Organization	Siberian Transport University
Qualification	Specialist’s Degree inTransport Engineering
Main subjects/skills covered	Engineering technology, Management and Engineering,Safe Railway Operation
Personal skills and competences
Mother tongue	Russian
Other languages	Good spoken English, some German
Social skills	Efficient in negotiating with customers and handling their complaints. Work well under the pressure
Computer Skills	Office Packages like MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook Express Operating Systems like Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista
Additional information
Clean driving licence
Personal interests including rock climbing and cycling
References
Available on request

Exercise 3. Read the text about the difference between a resume and a CV. Render it in Russian.

Если Вы хотите поработать в Европе, то CV Вам просто необходимо. В нем находится информация о Ваших личных и профессиональных достижениях. Оно отличается от классического американского резюме объемом – обычно CV занимает более одной страницы. Содержание CV насчитывает около 18 категорий. Среди них название дипломной работы; грамоты, награды, гранты и стипендии; опыт научной деятельности; публикации или презентации; знание иностранных языков; общественная работа; рекомендации и др.

Exercise 4. Write your own resume. Use the form from exercise 1. Do not forget about skills listed in the Participant’s Commitments form (see Reading and translation section).

 

Exercise 5. Read a passage below. Write the Cover Letter to apply for the Presidential T raining Initiative. Remember about the requirements listed in the Participant’s Commitments form (see Reading and translation section).

Covered with care

A cover letter typically accompanies each resume you send out. Your cover letter may make the difference between obtaining a job interview and having your resume ignored, so it makes good sense to devote the necessary time and effort to writing effective cover letters.

A cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume. Its purpose is to interpret the data-oriented, factual resume and add a personal touch. A cover letter is often your earliest written contact with a potential employer, creating a critical first impression.

Your cover letter should be designed specifically for each purpose outlined above as well as for each position or training programme you seek. Do not design a form letter and send it to every potential organisation (you know what you do with junk mail!).

Effective cover letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organisation and identify your most relevant skills or experiences (remember! relevance is determined by the employer’s self-interest). They should express a high level of interest and knowledge about the position.

A cover letter for an internship should answer four questions.

1. Why am I a good fit for your organisation?

2. How are my qualifications well-matched for an internship within the organisation?

3. Why now?

4. What should be the next step in pursuing an interview?

When you are writing a cover letter, there is specific information that needs to be included. Your cover letter will include a contact section, a salutation, information on why you are qualified for the job/internship a closing, and your signature. An example of a cover letter for an internship is given below.